Stephen Thompson: Pitt's path back to winning basketball may take more than 1 season

Stephen Thompson: Pitt's Path Back to Winning Basketball May Take More Than One Season

The last time Jeff Capel had to rebuild his Pitt roster so extensively was before the 2022-23 season. During that offseason, transfer portal recruiting brought in Greg Elliott, Blake Hinson, and Nelly Cummings—players who weren't initially considered elite. However, combined with Jamarius Burton and Nike Sibande, two earlier pickups, Capel created a core of veteran players whose collective experience matched that of some NBA teams.

This group achieved 24 wins, including two NCAA tournament victories, lifting the program from the lower ranks of power conferences. At the time, Capel's long-term tenure at Pittsburgh was uncertain; success was urgent, and recruiting experienced players was the quickest path to winning.

This offseason, facing a similar situation with a contract nearing its end and limited postseason success testing patience, Capel’s roster reflects a shift in approach. Pitt is now positioned to focus on developing for the near future.

Capel’s Vision for the Upcoming Season

"We need to play with the sense of urgency every second that we're out there on both sides of the floor. There has to be urgent talk, urgent movement. We have to be unbelievably connected."

Capel sounds like a coach focused on instilling strong habits in a youthful team, emphasizing urgency, communication, and cohesion on the court.

Summary

Jeff Capel's rebuilding strategy at Pitt is shifting from a quick fix using veterans to nurturing a young roster, aiming for sustainable future success through urgency and connection.

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LancasterOnline LancasterOnline — 2025-11-03

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